I don't believe in making human " resolutions"  for the New year. I do believe in discovering God's plan and vision for the upcoming year.  

I was on SKYPE last week with the leaders from Big Bear Christian Center. We were reviewing David's Cho famous book, Successful Home Cell Groups. Throughout the book Cho highlights the importance of setting goals.  Cho acknowledges that not all goals are good goals. He says, "It is possible to set goals in the wrong way." The "wrong way" might be copying the goals of someone else or not understanding God's plan.

To avoid the "wrong way," we must first discover God's vision and plan as laid out in the Bible, His inerrant Word. From there, the Holy Spirit begins to birth specific visions and strategies for us and our churches.

For example, at my church, Wellspring, God is speaking to us about doing a better job of coaching our leaders and making sure they stay healthy in 2010. Coaching is so critical for the long-term health of cell groups, and we at Wellspring need to do a better job of it. I'm coaching another church planting pastor who needs to develop an equipping track in 2010.

What about you? What is your vision for 2010? What is God leading you to accomplish in your church in the upcoming year? Perhaps your groups are too large and you need to give birth to new ones. Or maybe they're too small and you need to stir your people to develop relationships with unchurched people. Or perhaps God is leading you to build deeper community within your existing small groups. I recommend the following process:

1. Spend time in God's presence and His Word to discover His plan for you this next year.
2. Get team buy-in, whether at a staff level or core team in the cell. Don't try to fulfill the vision alone.
3. Take baby-steps. Remember that a 1000-mile journey begins with a single step.
4. Evaluate your vision throughout the year. It's okay to make mid-term adjustments. Work as a team to fulfill the vision.  
5. Celebrate what God has done at the end of the year.

• Blogs. Monday through Thursday we provide blogs about cell church ministry from practitioners in the field, including the senior pastor of the second largest church in the world. Sign up here to receive these blogs in your email inbox.
• Articles. In the article section of our website, you'll find helpful information on cell church ministry (including a list of recommended books).
• Coaching. We provide coaching to help you better fulfill God's plan for your church.
• Seminars. Check out the seminar schedule for 2010, and we want to especially emphasize the Day with Joel and Mario on February 24, 2010.
  

Joel Comiskey